Soccer gossip: Leeds, Hull, Owls, Barnsley

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY’S chances of re-signing young starlet Ross Barkley look remote with Everton boss David Moyes revealing he will go straight into his first-team plans at Goodison Park.

Teenager Barkley proved a huge success during two months at Hillsborough, firing four goals in 13 appearances - after bursting onto the scene for the Toffees at the start of last term.

With Phil Neville injured until the New Year and Darron Gibson only just on the recovery trail, Barkley will provide cover in the engine room for Moyes, with a return to the Owls looking off the cards for the time being.

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Moyes said: “We were happy for Ross to go out there (to Sheffield Wednesday) and play the games on loan,” said the Goodison manager. “I think it’s been good for him.

“He’s been playing in big games. We’ve had him watched in all the games, and I’ve watched him personally play in two games live against Leeds United and Blackburn.

“For the first three or four games, it took him a little bit of time to settle, but he has then made a bigger impression.

“Ross has done great. He is a young boy, 18, and those games in the Championship will bode well for us and for him.”

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Leeds United’s hopes of signing Stoke City defender Ryan Shotton look in doubt after the 24-year-old came on for just his third appearance of the season for the Potters in their 1-1 draw at West Ham last night.

United enquired about taking Shotton last week, with the player - who has been on the fringes at the Britannia Stadium this term - also interesting Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Birmingham City.

But with Tony Pulis short of cover with Mark Wilson on the long-term injured list and Andy Wilkinson coming off last night at Upton Park - with Shotton replacing him - he is likely to be reluctant to let Shotton go out.

United have also been linked with a move for former Elland Road defender Matt Kilgallon, out of favour at Sunderland and summer target Clint Hill.

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Meanwhile, Hull City are believed to monitoring Norwegian international keeper Rune Jarstein and are understood to have started discussions to sign the 28-year-old from Viking when the January transfer window opens/

The asking price is believed to be a current issue, with City thought to be reluctant to pay more than £500,000 for the stopper, with Viking holding out for a fee in the region of £700,000.

Jarstein has been capped 26 times by Norway and is keen to move to England to develop his career further.

Barnsley boss Keith Hill has been linked with a move for Brighton pair Ryan Harley and Will Hoskins.

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